Barnsley V Blackburn at Oakwell Stadium : Match Preview

28 December 2012 03:01

Stephen Foster is back from suspension to boost Barnsley's defensive options when they host managerless Blackburn.

The 32-year-old picked up his fourth and fifth yellow cards of the season in back-to-back games meaning he served a one-match suspension for the 2-1 defeat to Birmingham.

The Tykes were also without fellow defender Martin Cranie, who may miss out again as he struggles with an ankle knock.

Midfielder David Perkins came off in the second half against Blues, with the club since revealing he is struggling with a hamstring strain, and is rated as doubtful.

Striker Emile Sinclair is still hampered by a dead leg, although he should be among the replacements once more, while the game may come too soon for Akos Buzsaky (hamstring).

Reuben Noble-Lazarus (ankle) is almost certainly out while Jacob Mellis (dead leg) is not expected back until January.

Managerless Blackburn head to Barnsley without an official caretaker appointed as yet.

Henning Berg was dismissed on Thursday along with his coaching staff leaving no-one to handle first-team affairs.

Colin Hendry remains at the club but was demoted to reserve team duties during Steve Kean's reign but no announcement has been made.

Rovers are without a win in their last six league matches, losing five of them, and are currently 18 points adrift of the play-off places.

Full-back Markus Olsson is available once more after being struck down by illness but goalkeeper Paul Robinson's absence remains a mystery. He was again replaced by Jake Kean for the Boxing Day defeat at Middlesbrough.